Today we headed back into Manhattan although this time to the Pier to get tickets for a three hour river cruise around the island. Our trip was due to depart at 1230 so we decided to get some lunch while we were waiting. We wandered down the Pier after picking up our tickets and found a little cafe down by the fountain.
It was relaxing sitting, people watching. There were children of all age groups, even the adult variety playing, running in and out of the water, getting soaking wet while they were at it. We watched with some bemusement the line for our trip getting longer and longer. We were both on the same page on that one. Why the heck would we want to stand out there for an hour when we could sit in the cafe, sip a glass of white wine and nibble on the lunch we’d ordered? The cue was all the way back to where we were sitting and they still had about 30 minutes to wait. We started joking about just moving our chairs and table complete with umbrella forward to join the cue.
We waited until there was only a handful of people left then paid our bill and wandered over to board. Strangely enough we still managed to get on board. We had to wait for the boat to leave the dock but then we were allowed to go stand out front on the deck. Since we didn’t have seats that was what we did. We perched ourselves on some makeshift seats and had a great view. Amazing since all those people who waited in line for an hour to get on board kept rushing out to where we were, jostling for position to get photos. Some of them seemed to think we should move for them. Rude of me I know but we didn’t move. They wanted the seats inside, well they got them. We didn’t have seats inside but had no problems with sitting out on the deck, so we were staying put.
The cruise was for the most part relaxing with our attention drawn to points of interest by a fairly continuos dialogue describing everything around us.
At the end of the cruise we headed back to Lil’s place getting supplies on the way so we could get ready for the picnic this evening. We were going to the free concert on the great lawn in Central Park by the New York Philharmonic Orchestra. We got everything prepared since Lil had to stay back at work so was running a little late. Still she made it back changed and we were headed out once more.
We arrived at Central Park with the masses heading into the park. Some of Lil’s friends were there early and saved a spot. We eventually found them although it wasn’t easy with hundreds of thousands of people all either sitting or heading into the same point. Still we eventually found them and set up the picnic.
It was a perfect night and the concert was fantastic They started off with Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-flat minor, Op.23. Next up was Beethoven’s Symphony No. 4 in B-flat major, Op. 60 followed by Sibelius’s Finlandia, Op. 26, No.7. They finished off the night by playing the William Tell Overture, followed by fireworks.
After the concert we wound our way back through the park and headed towards the subway. We made a slight detour and went to see the Apple Flagship Store in New York. Its pretty amazing. The entrance is a giant glass cube with a glowing apple symbol with escalators leading down to the store. Its apparently open 24 hours a day. We’ll be going back there when we get back to New York but this time so that Lou can get herself an iPod.
After the slight detour we made it to the train and back home. It was a fantastic night and well worth the effort.